The R&D Dept.

A patent for an electric can opener this week. Plus, some highly technical patents from local inventors working for IBM, Sony, Honeywell and others.

A ton of local patents this week were issued to VCU, AMF, Phillip Morris, and Hamilton Beach. Plus a patent for a local inventor for a method of collecting healthcare-related debt.

The tobacco industry is getting even more high tech as an Altria subsidiary was issued a patent this week for cloning nicotine genes. Plus patents from MeadWestvaco, IBM, Honeywell and others.

A Midlothian man has invented a new kind of sports shoulder pads. A Colonial Heights company patented an air freshener device. Plus, patents from Capital One, Afton Chemical and Phillip Morris.

Capital One is getting into the wireless transaction business. Plus an interesting medical patent from VCU, patents from Altria and a new and improved blender from Hamilton Beach.

A Petersburg company has invented a knife with a heated blade. And Philip Morris has a slew of new patents including a chewable tobacco pouch.

Another patent for a Shockoe Slip drug device maker. Plus patents from Genworth, MeadWestvaco and Phillip Morris.

A Richmond company called 5 Mississippi LLC has patented a new game. Plus, another patent for Shockoe Bottom based drugmaker Intelliject.

An interesting email-related patent this week from a local company called Message Level. Plus more patents from the minds at Afton Chemical and Philip Morris.